The Forty Fourth Sermon, the Second on the Sixth Chapter - Ephesians 6:5-9
"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him." Ephesians 6:5-9
We have already seen that in addition to the general rule given by God to all people, there are also specific guidelines for how each person should behave in their respective roles and positions. We've discussed how husbands should treat their wives and how wives should behave towards their husbands, as well as the gentleness parents should show towards their children and the obedience children should exhibit towards their parents.
Now, St. Paul addresses the relationships between masters and servants. However, it's important to note that the servants mentioned here are not the same as the hired servants we have today. During that time, servants were often held in lifelong bondage, similar to what we now refer to as "bonded slaves." We don't need to dwell on these historical details, but we should thank God that such extreme forms of servitude have been abolished. In those days, masters had excessive authority over their servants, treating them like animals, with the power to even kill them for minor offences. They would imprison them, torture them, and subject them to inhumane treatment. Even some individuals who were considered righteous and Godfearing kept bondmen or slaves in their households, but they treated them more compassionately than the pagans did.
There were reasons that sometimes led masters to be more severe with their slaves. It was commonly believed that the more slaves one had, the more enemies one had, largely because they were kept in line through extreme force and violence, similar to the conditions endured by galley slaves at sea. This resulted in countless abuses, and some wealthy individuals had thousands of slaves in their households, leading to countless threats to their lives if precautions were not taken. All of this was the result of sin and disobedience, turning everything into chaos.
When we consider the authority masters had over their servants, we must conclude that it was entirely contrary to the natural order. We are all created in the image of God, and subjecting a rational creature, upon whom God has placed His mark, to such degradation was completely out of alignment with the way things should be. Yet, the consequences of our father Adam's disobedience and sin led to this extreme disorder.
On the other hand, given the extreme subjection of servants, it might seem that they were justified in trying to escape this oppressive system by any means possible. They could argue that although the Scriptures urged them to obey their masters and be subject to them, it was still a fair excuse to resist this heavy yoke. However, St. Paul counsels masters to temper their excessive authority and not abuse the power they held. It was essential to recognize that their authority, as granted by human law, was just, but it should not be misused. St. Paul encourages masters to moderate their superiority. Nevertheless, he also advises servants to submit to this authority and bear the heavy yoke they were under.
It might seem that St. Paul did a disservice to servants by not speaking out against the widespread abuse they suffered. Some might argue that he should have condemned these atrocities and called for a change. However, there are two important principles that prevented him from advocating for such a change.
Firstly, it was essential to remember that God allowed mankind to be thrown into confusion because of Adam's disobedience, and this was a reminder to all, both great and small, that Adam had disrupted the natural order. Therefore, St. Paul advised servants to bear their subjection patiently, recognizing that it came from God.
Secondly, the gospel did not come to change the common policies of the world or establish laws for the temporal state. While kings, princes, and magistrates should seek guidance from God's Word and align their actions accordingly, they were also granted the freedom to create laws that they deemed suitable for governing their realm. They should pray for wisdom and discretion and seek counsel from God's Word, but the doctrines of salvation, related to the kingdom of heaven, and the rules for human conduct in this world are distinct matters.
This is why St. Paul didn't attempt to change the institution of slavery but instead exhorted servants to fulfill their duties with humility and reverence. He emphasized the importance of singleness of heart, which stands in contrast to the devious and deceitful ways some servants employed during that time.
It's important to note that simplicity here does not merely refer to serving one's master and seeking their benefit and obeying their commands but also to showing reverence. Servants needed to understand that even if their masters were not harsh or did not resort to physical punishment, they should still patiently accept their position, knowing that God ordained the superiority of masters over them.
Therefore, St. Paul used the term "singleness of heart" to emphasize that while people often pursue their own self-interest at the expense of others, servants should set aside such self-centeredness and affections that might hinder them from fulfilling their duties with sincerity and reverence.
St. Paul intentionally used the phrase "as serving the Lord," which is a crucial foundation upon which we should base our actions when fulfilling our duties towards others. Often, people tend to focus on their fellow creatures and question why they should submit to someone else's authority. They may ask why they should be considered inferior or why they should be subject to someone else's control. People frequently use these arguments to assert their own superiority and exempt themselves from the authority of others.
This mindset leads to a dangerous inclination where everyone desires to be the master, and no one is willing to acknowledge any form of subordination. This would result in a world where people behave like wild animals, or as the saying goes, "every man for himself," until we understand that God approves of our service to others.
It is crucial for us to be fully convinced that our service is acceptable to the Lord. We might manage to please people on the surface, but our hearts will never be genuinely and correctly inclined until we recognize that our service is ultimately directed towards the Lord.
Another obstacle that may hinder or discourage us in carrying out our duties towards others is the ingratitude and thanklessness of those we serve. Often, the people we help fail to appreciate our efforts and may even consider us mere instruments for their convenience. When we see that our service is met with ungratefulness and spite, it can be disheartening, to the point of making us want to give up entirely.
In such moments, we must recall St. Paul's teaching that God holds supreme authority over all degrees of superiority. He expects every person to conduct themselves with humility and adhere to the established order and structures in the world. This perspective can help us persevere in fulfilling our duties, knowing that our ultimate aim is to please God, even when others do not reciprocate our efforts positively.
First and foremost, we need to consider the general principle I am about to discuss. It is essential to understand that when we have superiors or authorities over us, we should not obey them out of compulsion but because God has ordained their positions. There is no authority except from God, as St. Paul states in Romans. While St. Paul specifically mentions rulers and magistrates in that context, it applies to all forms of authority, such as parents over their children, husbands over wives, and masters over servants. We must be fully convinced that God's intention is not to create chaos by removing all order, but rather that some should have the authority to command and others should obey. This is an irrevocable decree from God, and we must accept and be content with it. If we claim to obey God while simultaneously seeking to eliminate the order He has established among us, it is mere hypocrisy.
This concept of submission encompasses all forms of subordination, including people obeying princes and magistrates, children obeying their parents, and wives obeying their husbands, as well as servants obeying their masters. Once we understand and accept this, we can better withstand the challenges and obstacles that hinder us from fulfilling our duties. When we question why we should submit to God's will, these objections become baseless and futile. Therefore, we must demonstrate our humility and willingness to bear the yoke placed upon us by God through our easy and willing obedience to human authority.
As I mentioned earlier, this principle applies to all forms of subjection, whether it be people submitting to princes and magistrates, children to their parents, wives to their husbands, or servants to their masters. When we are convinced of this, we can avoid confusion and rebellion. Instead, we should demonstrate by our actions that we are willing to please God and fulfil His will. God has ordained this authority, and we should willingly obey those appointed by Him without complaint. For example, in a household, a master may appoint someone to oversee certain tasks, and this person should be obeyed. Similarly, in a society, a prince may have officers, and their commands must be followed without question.
Therefore, it is crucial to internalize this counsel of St. Paul deeply in our hearts. When we willingly and wholeheartedly perform our duties towards those whom God has placed in authority over us, we are ultimately serving God Himself. Without this mindset, all outward displays of virtue before the world are like smoke. Some may appear to perform well in the eyes of those they serve, but if they lack the right attitude towards God's ordained authority, their actions hold no value before Him. God desires to be honoured through our obedience to Him. While men may grant certain allowances and overlook disobedience, God expects us to acknowledge His authority and obey those He has appointed over us. Our obedience should not cause us to forget God or those in authority over us. Therefore, if we obey people while disregarding what God desires as an acceptable sacrifice to Himself, our actions are in vain. We should always turn our hearts towards God, dedicate ourselves to Him, and willingly serve Him with a free and uncoerced spirit.
For the same reason, as Paul expressly states, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God." Those who put on a facade of obedience are seeking either reward, good treatment, a share of the abundance, or some special gift or recompense when they render service. This is what people pursue when they do not have God in mind. However, servants are told that even if those they serve are so difficult to please that they cannot expect any reward or favour from them, they must still fulfil their duties towards God. Thus, we learn that in all things God commands, we should not merely engage our outward actions, such as our eyes, feet, hands, and arms, but we must start with our inner affections. When St. Paul says, "Not with eyeservice," he is teaching us that if we desire our service to be accepted as good and lawful by the Lord, our hearts must lead the way and guide all our actions. There should be no deception; instead, our conduct should be straightforward, honest, and sincere. This exposes the emptiness of many outward displays of virtue; God regards them as nothing more than hypocrisy. To truly serve God well, we must abandon duplicity and build on a foundation of sincerity.
Moreover, while it is true that God prefers to be loved rather than feared, this does not negate the need for reverence and trembling before His Majesty. When God reveals what He values most, it is clear that He requires willing affection and wholehearted devotion. If we approach Him grudgingly and half-heartedly while showing greater earnestness towards men, we are essentially seeking exemption from obeying God. Therefore, we must find joy and delight in His service, making it sweeter and dearer to us than all worldly liberty, even surpassing the allure of all the realms and kingdoms of the world.
St. Paul explicitly says, "Masters, according to the flesh," because Satan, in his efforts to hinder the spread of the gospel and foster hatred towards it, planted the heresy in many minds that once we become spiritual, we should no longer be subject to worldly or transient authority. However, this is not the true state of God's children.
In our time, we have witnessed a group of rebellious and fanatical people who have tried to abolish all forms of authority, eliminate taxes and imposts, and advocate for complete self-rule. They based their arguments on the belief that since God has adopted us as His children and the world has been renewed to graft us into the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is unreasonable and unjust, even dishonourable to God, for unbelievers to rule over us or for those who call themselves believers to exercise sovereignty over their fellow brethren and neighbours. The devil has worked tirelessly to implant the idea in people's minds that the gospel undermines all order in the world, intending to make people despise it and renounce it. Saying that no one is better than another is a persuasive and enticing message. Thus, St. Paul explicitly states that even though masters have temporal authority, and their superiority pertains only to the flesh, which is this present world and transient life, they should not be deprived of their rights. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not come to establish a chaotic equality where no distinction exists between the great and the humble. His purpose was for everyone to remain peacefully within their respective callings without pride or arrogance, as stated in the Psalms. The path to humility and meekness is for each person to focus on their own calling.
Therefore, those in positions of authority should not become proud and presumptuous but humble themselves before God, recognising that they are doubly bound to Him for elevating them. Meanwhile, those in less exalted positions should accept their roles without seeking what does not belong to them. It is essential for fathers to elicit the required obedience from their children through gentleness, husbands to treat their wives with harmony and kindness, princes not to mistreat their subjects like wretched beasts, and masters not to exploit their servants excessively. Those in humbler circumstances should understand that God has placed them in their positions as if He appointed their place with His own hand. Therefore, the common people should not seek to advance themselves but be content with their status. This is why St. Paul explicitly includes the phrase "as touching the flesh." It is not to denigrate masters for their authority over slaves but to preclude any objections that people might raise when seeking exemptions from obeying God and the order He has established. It also reminds us that this subjection does not harm the faithful; they can still maintain full liberty regarding their souls. The devil exploits this notion as well, with people asking why they should be made slaves when our Lord Jesus Christ has shed His blood to secure our freedom. However, as Paul elaborates in the fifth chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, the bondage we offer to our superiors is limited to the flesh, and our souls and consciences remain ever free before God. Therefore, it is a simplistic objection to argue that, given our Lord Jesus Christ's grant of freedom, people should not impose bondage on us. He has granted us freedom concerning our souls, but it remains His will that principalities and lordships continue in the world. This inevitably results in some being subject and others having preeminence and authority.
Since our Lord has distinguished between the two realms, that of the body and the soul, and one is spiritual, governed by His Word, concerning our path to attain the kingdom of heaven. However, when it comes to our conduct towards our fellow human beings, who share our earthly existence, we must adapt to good governance and civil order. Let us be assured that, despite our position, we are no worse in the eyes of God than kings and princes, even if all men do not tremble before us. In fact, the acts of service we perform for His creatures serve to exalt and glorify God all the more. One must possess a noble spirit to willingly humble themselves and obey, regardless of the greatness, skill, or wealth of those to whom they submit. Even if those who are subject possess qualities suitable for governance, they should not covet a change in their status. Paul has eliminated any pretext for such behaviour. Thus, we must learn from the lesson presented here that, first and foremost, we must keep God continually in view, understanding that He has placed us in this world to serve one another with humility, never disdaining our duty, even towards those who may not be as capable as we desire.
Once we have reached this understanding, it is certain that each of us will willingly submit to the state to which God has called us and remain in the position He has assigned. If St. Paul required such obedience from the slaves of his time, there is even less excuse for today's hired servants. Let us compare the two situations. As I mentioned earlier, those unfortunate souls were subjected to such harsh treatment that their masters had the power to imprison, confine them in stocks, torture, dismember, and even kill them. It was a dire situation, and their bondage was for life and death, with no set term except among the Jews, where God had established limits.
The common and general law among all nations stipulated that bondsmen and their offspring should remain in bondage indefinitely. So, in this state, a father had no more claim to his child than to a horse or any other beast that produced offspring. Such a situation was as dreadful as a hundred deaths.
Indeed, man has always sought liberty, ease, and the ability to enjoy his bread in peace. These unfortunate slaves did not have the privilege of bread at their own discretion. Concerning their persons, they were in a worse condition than captives, as I mentioned earlier. Nevertheless, God strictly commanded them to bear this state patiently and fulfil their duties faithfully and cheerfully.
Now, what can be said of hired servants today, who can seek employment elsewhere and receive their wages after a year's service, being treated much more kindly and generously than those unfortunate slaves of the past? These servants earned their bread by labouring in their trades and crafts, often having barely enough to eat and drinking water, many times less than they desired. They were confined to cabins and forced to perform their tasks. Therefore, if modern servants cannot bear the state that God has placed upon their shoulders, they are entirely inexcusable. The same can be said of subjects in relation to their magistrates. Thus, since we see that our Lord is lenient with us, we are all the more obligated to adhere to the subjection that St. Paul speaks of here.
Furthermore, we must consider the words regarding a free and cheerful hearted willingness. It is impossible for us to find any satisfaction or joy in our state or calling unless we know that it is for our benefit and well-being. We cannot derive great profit from serving creatures. Therefore, we must always turn to our God, aiming for the mark that, since He has been so good and gracious to us by placing us in this world and sustaining us here, and has shown Himself to be such a good Father to us, providing all that we have, we must show reverence to His Majesty. We should strive to please Him in such a way that we do not hesitate to be subject to men or take it as a source of grief or scorn. In this way, our state will be greatly sweetened when we know that God accepts it as a good offering from us.
That is also why St. Paul presents these ideas in harmony rather than in opposition. He mentions that we must serve God on behalf of our masters with all willingness, and subsequently he states God's Will on the other side. This is a harmonious melody, indicating that it is God's will for servants to obey their masters. By understanding this, we can dispel any objections that may hinder us or lead us astray. When the devil tempts us to think anything strange about God's commands, he lures us towards our own destruction. Therefore, let us embrace God's Will as our supreme welfare and ultimate happiness, being assured that, no matter how we are treated by Him, He still loves us and intends what is good for us. Let this serve as one point.
If we have such conviction deeply rooted in our hearts, it is certain that the willingness Simple speaks of will naturally follow. In this way, we will not find ourselves resenting it, as some do when they are compelled to do things against their will. They may grumble about it, and although they may not openly express it, bitterness resides in their hearts. Therefore, St. Paul encourages willingness, meaning that we should do everything with goodwill and freely. This will make our state less disagreeable.
For those who only act out of force and compulsion cannot ensure the necessity of obedience. Nevertheless, they become tormentors to themselves, causing more harm to their own souls than they could ever suffer from external sorrows. Even when we are treated harshly by our masters, superiors, or magistrates, if we are certain that God accepts our service, it mitigates the grief we might feel. Once we have fulfilled our duty, we find solace in communion with God and rest in the relief He provides for our infirmities. Additionally, we should always keep our eyes on heavenly life and draw courage from it to continue walking forward, even in the face of many obstacles.
We can see that God's children will always fare much better when they serve God willingly in their duties than those who approach it as if nine men held them back. When one discharges their responsibilities with reluctance and complaints, they gain no real benefit from their service. Furthermore, let us observe that St. Paul repeatedly directs our focus back to God and our Lord Jesus Christ. This is to dispel the misconception that if others mistreat us, our bond with them is broken, and thus we can exempt ourselves from subjection. For instance, a servant might have an overly severe master and wonder why they should comply. Similarly, if masters do not fulfill their duties towards their servants, they might think they are no longer bound to obey. However, St. Paul explicitly states that even if masters are cruel and do not spare their subordinates, their authority is not diminished. They may be unworthy of authority in their own right, but the inferiors must still obey because God has ordained it so.
This emphasizes that masters should not withhold what belongs to their servants and that they should consider that, although civil laws may grant them freedom of action, God does not grant them unrestricted freedom. Both masters and servants must heed this principle. For masters, St. Paul provides a rule: they must be careful in their exercise of authority because they have a common Master in heaven. This heavenly Master is impartial when it comes to servants. Therefore, St. Paul encourages servants by saying, "My friends, though you may not receive the recompense in this world that you desire, rest assured that God does not consider you as slaves. While you may be despised in the world's eyes, you have an inheritance in heaven, and the Lord accepts your service. You will receive your reward as if you were kings and princes."
In summary, it is evident that Simple did not seek to curry favour with the great and rich by upholding their rights over their slaves. He also aimed to instill humility and meekness in all, preventing any from exalting themselves excessively. Similarly, ministers of the church and God's word must follow the same pattern, sparing neither the great nor the small, but reminding each person of their duties. Since God shows no partiality, His word must be handled honestly, and ministers must not be intimidated by the authority and prominence of individuals in the eyes of the world. Simple, in line with St. Paul, emphasises that those who preach God's word must tear down all pride and arrogance and bring every person's loftiness low when they attempt to elevate themselves against our Lord Jesus Christ and oppose His doctrine. Ministers of God's word must exhort those in humble positions to fulfill their duties and encourage the poor and oppressed to bear their circumstances patiently without complaint, knowing that by doing so, they are not rebelling against men but against God.
On the other side, he instructs the masters that they should not behave like beasts that consume and exploit others, but rather they should conduct themselves with kindness. Even the pagans themselves, when they chose to speak in accordance with natural justice, stated that it was not fitting for masters to abuse their authority over their servants. They said that bondmen and slaves should be treated like hired workers paid by the day. If even the pagans could speak this way without having the understanding granted by God, what excuse is there now for those who have been educated in God's school, where there is a brotherhood among both the great and the small, and where masters should become as fathers to their servants, since they all share the same hope of eternal life? If those in authority then set their feet upon the throats of others by abusing their power, what a terrible thing it is!
Therefore, both masters and servants should carefully consider how to conduct themselves in their respective roles. The inferior should not grumble when the Lord allows them to endure many wrongs in this world and be subjected to mockery and scorn. Even if they were to endure a hundred times more, they should not rebel against God, for that would be like kicking against the spur. The great ones should also remember that the closer God has drawn them to Himself and granted them preeminence, the more He expects them to conform to His image and likeness. We find in God nothing but goodness, as throughout all of Scripture, He is portrayed as the source of humility, gentleness, and mercy. Therefore, those in positions of honor should reflect upon this, for if they neglect their duty, they shall pay dearly for their worldly honor while abusing God's remarkable blessing.
Since both masters and servants are often resistant to conform, such as the oppressed who cannot help but grumble and are tempted to break free from all bonds, they must be restrained by God's word and earnest exhortations. The great ones should be humbled and remember their mortality, as they sometimes imagine themselves beyond the realm of mortal men. It is certain that if they regard their state through the lens of the humblest individuals, it will lead them to humility. Thus, God's word must prevail in this matter, restraining both the high and the low, so that each person may live according to their calling and quietly obey God. We should desire nothing more than to fulfill our duty towards Him and all His creations until we reach the everlasting kingdom, where we will share in His glory, majesty, and all the good things that come from Him.
Now, let us kneel before the majesty of our benevolent God, acknowledging our sins and beseeching Him to grant us true and heartfelt repentance. May our sorrow for offending Him be so profound that it compels us to despise our vices and seek His forgiveness, so that He may guide us with His Holy Spirit, enabling us to live according to His holy commandments and bearing with our weaknesses until we are cleansed and purified. And so, let us pray:
"Almighty God, Heavenly Father, etc."